Extremely well acted and written, with a great story line. Cuba Gooding Jr. does an exceptional job. Worth buying and watching several times.

Wonderful movie; excellent story. This movie is based on a true story and Cuba Gooding, Jr. does a great job of providing a funny and emotional depiction of "Radio."

This is a wonderful movie that demonstrates how one person's compassion for a "misfit in society" was able to transform, not only the life of Radio, but also the heart and soul of an entire community.

I am a Taiwanese. In Taiwan, some organizations take care of children with special needs like Radio, but not all of them are luck like Radio. Some children with special needs died in street. Let me ask you guys a question. What if Radio does not meet coach Jones, maybe he is a dead person now. This movie is a true story. I strongly suggest you should watch this good film especial you're a coach or a teacher.

If you like movies that are pat,formulaic,stereotypical,neat and tidy perfect ending,characters changing 180 degrees,rah-rah,gee golly......well then tune into RADIO.

Anything in Screenplay Writing 101 is here for you; the all-wise coach who has something to prove who has neglected his family (who are women!);an all understanding wife and daughter who forgive this coach for years of neglect (they stand by their man!); sports teams that have the usual stars who like to bully retarded black guys, and then are turned 180 degrees to embracing him;.....oh heck, enough already!!!! To sit for over 100 minutes and then have the real life people at the end of the credits to validate that what we just saw is "true" is madness at best!This film stinks! I keep thinking of just the right things to say in this review.......but why? This film is going to appeal to some and not to others.For me, as much as I enjoy a good human interest story that tugs at the heart, RADIO is not one of them;from insipid dialogue to saccharin sweet characters,this film is all on the wrong frequency.This film plods and thuds!Sorry.....hated it.

based on a true unbelievable story of courage and friendship. a must see to all footbal and drama fans. The story of James Robert Kennedy is now a major motion picture starring Cuba Gooding Jr. in the role of his life. it truely shows james's undying love of the game and his faith in humanity. A true tear jerker. my favorite film ever and it i will always remember the story of RADIO.

This is a movie I caught a few years ago on cable that I really enjoyed. I have since bought it as it turns up in bargain bins all the time. If you see it in your local bin.....buy it. It is one of Cuba's best performances and Ed Harris is outstanding as well. Nice mix of football/sports action,drama and comedy! The DVD transfer is excellent and there are some good extras with the actual people the true story film is about.

Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance in this was amazing, no question. The film itself was mediocre, at best. It set itself up well enough, lagged badly in the middle, then took a few turns that seemed out of character. I enjoyed seeing the cast ensemble, most of whom seem to have played the same role across several films. I found it an interesting study in how much culture has changed regarding the discussion and social treatment of mentally challenged individuals. I don't know that the system treats them any better, but several times through the film I had to remind myself of the timeframe.

Great movie - this performance by Cuba puts him in the class of the likes of Billy Bob (Sling Blade) and Dustin Hoffman (Rainman) - actors who can play a wide range of characters with extremely believable effectiveness. Its definitely a feel good (true) story about a football coach who befriends a mentally handicapped young man and not only are both changed because of the experience, but so is the town.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. gives a standout performance as the title character, a mentally handicapped man who is adopted by a South Carolina highschool as a sort of school sports mascot. I rented the DVD fearful that his portrayal would not ring true, but he completely won me over. The key, I think, is his eyes -- his dull stare perfectly conveys Radio's mental slowness. I never felt that I was watching Cuba Gooding, Jr. -- I was just seeing the character. The rest of the cast is terrific, too.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the football and basketball teams who come to love Radio don't "win the big game" as in most sports underdog films. In fact, the sports action is just a backdrop for the main story. Refreshingly, the film is mostly free of Hollywood cliches, and the obstacles Radio faces seem more realistic and believable as a result.

All in all, I enjoyed "Radio" tremendously; it's a sweet and moving story.

"AY WHERE MY CAKE!?!?" LMAO....

I'm not a fan of Cuba Gooding, Jr. at all, so I tried not to even see this movie. But during a night of a insomnia I had no choice but to watch it and I have to admit it was a very good movie. All of the acting was great, the story was great, and Cuba did a very good job of playing this role. I had actually seen a documentary about the subject Radio when this movie came out, so to see the movie afterward and see just how well Gooding played this role was what made me like this movie even more. It didn't have any of the over the top antics that some of these "based on a true story" movies have and that made it more believeable to me.

This film is pure magic, and I hope with fervor that its long-rumored sequel, "Television," won't let us down the way so many sequels do.

Radio

I don't think this movie gets enough credit. It's a very inspirational movie that is based on a true story. Radio is a nickname for a severely handicapped man named James Robert Kennedy who loves radio's, and loves football. No one ever talked to him, or looked to him, except when he got in their way. Until one year, when Coach Jones' boys got in his way. Coach Jones saw what no one else did, and decided to let him help on the football team. He made a good choice. Radio changed many lives, and this movie proves that. James Kennedy is a hero, and now a great coach.
Cuba Gooding Jr. is a great actor and is in a very inspiring movie. Co-star Ed Harris is just as inspirational. A special thanks to Mike Tollin, director.

We bought "Radio" after renting it from our local library. We could get it for free, but it was worth owning.
Radio is based upon a true and inspiring story of a handicapped man whose life was changed, who changed a life, and who became part of improving a community. Ed Harris plays a football coach who understands that people are more important than victories and Cuba Gooding stars as a mentally handicapped young man who is a joy to any who are willing to show him a little love and kindness. Both men do outstanding and compelling jobs. I don't want to spoil the story for you so get the movie, you'll be glad you did.

This review is for the entire DVD, not just the film itself.

As to the movie, I thought it was decent. A well written story with good acting, if a bit much on the sentimental, and not tense enough to make it completely compelling. There are plenty of other reviews of the film exsit on here, I'll let you read those.

As to the DVD package, it's definitely better than average. The film is presented in it's 1.85:1 widescreen ratio, and both the picture and sound are very good, as is the standard these days. Director Mike Tollin's commentary is worth listening to, and goes into a lot of detail on how they made the film, and how they got it right. Six deleted scenes also have good commentary as to why they got nixed.

There are no less than three documentaries on here. One, Tuning In: The Making of Radio shows who the real Radio is, and who the real Coach Jones. This shows what it's really like in Anderson SC, and seeing those who the film is really about, and what the real story is. Next is Writing Radio, with screenwriter Mike Rich. Like Tuning In, this looks into preparing for the telling of the story, and how much work Rich put into it. Last is best, The 12-Hour Football Games of Radio. This documentary shows the process they went through to find kids to play the sports in the movie, and the behind scenes preparation of how they made it work. Sports Coordinator Mark Ellis is the champion here, shown putting the actors through the rigours of training camp, and creating inspiring authenticity to the games on screen, often at 4am in the morning, with great insight into what it takes to pull something like this off. Bravo!

its not a top 10 movie but you should see it once

a true story of friendship, where the people you least expect teach great lessons of love, of life... Radio made the lifes of the people he touched, better, and managed to bring a whole community together....

Wow...I just saw this movie and I just really enjoyed it immensly! I really hope that you would take time from your schedule and watch this movie. It is so powerful and moving that it will bring a tear to your eye.

It would be hard not to like a film whose heart and intentions are so well grounded. RADIO tells the true story of a mentally challenged young man who is taken under the wing of a kindly coach and becomes a legendary icon to the townspeople and young boys he come in contact with. There are the expected villainous turns as some people find Radio's contact with the football team distracting and unacceptable. But the movie flawlessly shows how Radio becomes a better person as do the people he affects. Cuba Gooding Jr. interprets rather than inhabits his role, but he does a good job in conveying the physical and emotional handicaps he overcomes. Ed Harris is superb as Coach Jones, the kindly man who works with Radio, even at the cost of losing time with his wife and daughter (Debra Winger in a marvelously underplayed role and Kate Drew who is excellent as the daughter). Great support too from M Ephata Mekkerson as Radio's mother; Alfre Woodard as the principal and Chris Mulkey as the jock and prejudicial father of one of the "badder" boys. All in all, a tearjerer that is propelled in my opinion more by Harris' performance than Goodings.

When was the last time you felt good about a movie? It was two years ago I went to see Radio and I felt the warmth all over! The story is inspiring about a real life football coach who did what he could to have a winning season and was a powerful influence in the life of the central character, Radio. Cuba Gooding,Jr. did a wonderful job portraying Radio in this movie. Right next to Coach Carter, Radio is one of the two powerful message movies in the past few years!

What a film a true hystory? Yeah lovely too.
The performer is amazing naturally on Cuba Gooding Jr. bravo is the calificative.
Ed Harris always a great performer. the hystory is so captive all the film was made on a great ambience of naturally one of the most requested adaptation of a true hystory great to share with your family and friends. You must tell to your friends. let's get the courage on!!!!! Thanks Radio!!!!

One of the great pleasures of the human experience is to enjoy a well-told, edifying, life-affirming story concerning other peoples' human experience. The optimum circumstance is if the reader or viewer has no prior knowledge of the story's content, but just lets the story unfold. That was my circumstance when I watched "Radio."

It was easy to be attracted to this story with the two leads of Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris, who has been one of my favorites since he played John Glenn in "The Right Stuff." Very early on it could be told that this story had makings with the sought-after qualities enumerated above. So, armed with full knowledge of the sins of many modern film makers, while watching I found myself mentally muttering: Don't screw it up . . . don't screw it up . . . don't screw it up.

They didn't. This story is told with a subtlety and sensitivity worthy of Chinese director Zhang Yimou, which is the highest of all possible flattery from this reviewer. The writing and directing was probably constrained by the real-life circumstances on which the story was based, and that is good, because anything that would have been added to this story to add "drama" or "interest" would surely have diminished it mightily. This is simply a wonderful story, wonderfully told.

Give yourself a break from cynicism and negativity, cruelty, violence, and inhumanity. Watch this acutely life-affirming story. It's so powerful because it's so true to life.

Movie title: radio
Rated: PG
Genre: Drama
Date released: October 24, 2003
Director: Michael Tollin

a Movie great for the whole family. Filled with real life problem's such as death and issue's trying to do something almost impossible to do correctly with those with special need's. This inspiring tale is A movie made for those who love true story's Radio is a tale is about a mentally challenged young man who is fascinated with radios and wants to join the football team. His fun loving spirit will have you laughing and crying. This movie is set in the late 50's and is sure to have you wondering what will happen next.
This movie is appropriate for all audiences. A true family film to sit down with your family and enjoy. It sets a feeling of belonging as to how lucky are that you don't have Radios problem and you have your whole family. A movie made to be seen again and again. An absolute must have for everybody who owns a television.
A movie with very exiting visuals and a very moving and emotional script for example when Radio's mother died the football coach had to come over and calm him down . This movies lines tie perfectly with the setting. Witch causes the movie to seem like it was made in the actual 50's. Once you see this movie you will be moved forever by its kindness.

I recommended this movie because me and my mother were spending some time together. We turned on the television and were looking for a movie to watch. When We turned to HBO We flipped through the channels searching when We saw this movie Radio on the television. I told her that this feature was a very good movie and that she would like it. That's how We watched this glorious movie.

Overall radio is a great movie that you will love and want to see again. This feature is appropriate for all children thirteen and over. Has mild language and brief scenes of violence. I promise personally that you'll love radio and how he handles.
his problems im no epert or roper but radio is a fantastic movie!

Jim bob

Producer: Tollin Robert
Director: Mike Tollin
Date Released: September 7, 2004
Length: 99 minutes
Rating: PG

Imagine yourself wondering the streets with a cart almost everyday, because your mom is at work for ten hours a day and you have nothing else better to do, but to wonder around the streets. Imagine being a young man with down-syndrome and people don't understand why you act the way that you do. Wondering everyday why people don't like you and they don't care about your feelings. Well that all changes when he meets Coach Johns. If you don't know what I'm talking about and you want to know more about Radio all you have to do is read this review and let the knowledge soak through your body.

The most important reason why you should watch this movie is, because Radio is based on a true story you can't help feel his pain. This movie is based on a true story about James Kennedy or what everybody else calls him Radio. If you wondering where James got the nickname Radio he got it from Coach Johns, because he was always listening to a radio. You can almost feel what he is feeling, the director and producer but so much feeling, emotion, and action. You can almost understand what he is going through. You cry when he cries, you laugh when he laughs, your sad when he's sad, and you're mad when he's mad.

If you like to watch movies with an awesome plot or a movie that makes since. There are so many reasons why Radio has a great plot but I'm going to name two of those reasons why it has a good plot. Firstly Radio is a sad but true story. Secondly it is about a young mans struggles with other peoples actions and life.

Lastly though Radio is a sad movie there are parts that you can't help but laugh. That's right Radio is not only sad but funny. In one part of this movie a football player asks is teammates if he would ever get the ball and grabs a football takes it over to the football player and puts in his lap and says "There you go."

Radio shows you that you can't always take everything for granted and that life is unexpected it so live it at its fullest. He shows you that you can't make fun of people that are less fortunate than you, because they can't help the way that they are. Someday you may do something to somebody that you knew nothing about and then when you got to know them they were really interesting and that you wish you would have done that to them.

I would recommend Radio to anybody that likes to watch movies that are based on a true story or likes to watch movies that are about one's struggles in life and how they deal with life. I think that Radio is for the whole family and it's not only for girls it's for both girls and boys. It's also not only for an adult it's also for kids it has things in it that parents or teens would be able to follow and understand.

If you felt that you thought that you wanted to know more about Radio's struggles and know exactly what he went though then you have to watch Radio was a great movie and if you where wondering what happens to Radio than you have to watch Radio. Radio is the type of movie that teaches you a good lesson about life. If you want to find out what happens to James Kennedy otherwise known as Radio than you have to watch Radio.

Movie Title: Radio
Produced By: Revolution Studios
Date Released: September 7, 2004
Length: One hour and thirty nine minutes
Rating: PG

"Oh great, another football movie!" Some people don't care for football and don't really like watching it. I am one of those people. When you pick up Radio that is what you think. But wait, Radio is a great football movie about a disabled man and his courage to turn these people around and not even realize it.

To start with, Radio is a very good movie and a true story. So all of it seems so real to anybody that will watch it. In the movie Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is asked to help out with a local high school football team after his encounter with the players. Almost anyone could relate to it in some way. It also has a very good moral; it really shows how appearances aren't everything and how someone with his disabilities could rub off the joy of life on this cocky football team.

Secondly, the actors couldn't make the characters more like the real people. For instance, Cuba Gooding Jr. really does make the movie to where you actually think he is the real man.

Lastly, it is a very entertaining movie. Gooding keeps you laughing through the whole film with his spontaneous personality and his ability to act, but in some parts leaves you teary eyed. I even started crying hysterically, but I have to admit, it was a good turning point in the movie. I am not going to say what happens because that would ruin the surprise now wouldn't it?


On a scale of one to ten I would give this movie an absolute ten. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch it. It is one for the whole family.

All together, Radio is a spectacular film and is a must see. I hope you decide to watch the movie and I can guarantee you will love it.

From time to time we feel with evident relief, that fortunately not all film makers bet for break necks, breathtaking car chases, burning streets, flying corpses or extreme violence as a tenet to get audience and a brief fame.
This script falls apart these common places to tell a story; a poignant portrait of a weak man who is connected to the outside world through this device.
A penetrating and captivating story that it will you make think about the life' s values. Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr. make top-notch performances.

We discussed this movie in class, and when I saw it on Amazon for a very reasonable price, I ordered it. It came in excellent condition, and packaged well.

avoiding the storyline, i would like to say that growing up around "retarded" or "mentally challenged" or whatever society calls it these days, this film (and Cuba Gooding Jr.)did a spectacular visual perception of the
characteristics that a REAL "retarded" boy would act. I've watched many a movies trying to depict the nature and physical characteristics but NONE has come close to this film.
Of course it is a tearjerker; it is also extremely enlightening, making us count our blessing EVERY day...
Knowing that this is a true story, it is well told and so
inspirational to see footage of the REAL "Radio " as he is "today". What a blessing it is to see his story told!!!!

DVD was received in excellent conditions, timely manner and great customer service. Definitely will buy again from.

I laugh,I cryed, But after the seventh time I said "aw" I started banging my head against the coffe table sappy sad good movie but if you'd really rather not commit suiside then I would not suggest buying it renting it borrowing it from a friend or all of the above
or just plain seeing it period (PS:my head still hurts) and for that reason also (wouldn't advise watching it might hurt yourself)
so basiclly if your happy and want to become suisidal don't watch it

As you all can see from my previous reviews, I do not give 5 stars freely!! This is a major exception to the rule!! This movie had it all...both Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding JR. did an excellent job with the material!! To be honest, I do not remember if Cuba won any awards for this film, but if he did not...he sure should have!!! He took this part very well. The director knew when and where to touch the audience. This film really pulls at your heartstrings. Isn't it good to know that there are really decent movies out there...amongst the junk? A+++ to everyone in this great film...I would not recommend renting...I would rather recommend buying this one for you collection!! Enough said!!

Director: Michael Tollin
Cast: Ed Harris, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alfre Woodard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Brent Sexton, Chris Mulkey, Sarah Drew, Riley Smith, Patrick Breen, Debra Winger.
Rated PG for some language.
Running Time: 109 minutes.

Cuba Gooding Jr. returns to Oscar-worthy status with this touching, yet predictable story based on true events. A mentally challenged young man (Gooding Jr.) who continuously walks around a small South Carolina town with a shopping cart and a radio is enthralled by the high school football practices every afternoon. The high school athletes at first give the invalid a hassle, but soon realize the emotional boost that he gives not only the football team, but the entire community.

Ed Harris stars in one of his few main roles of the past half-decade (instead of supporting roles such as "The Truman Show", A Beautiful Mind", "The Enemy at the Gates") as Coach Jones, the local hero who puts himself on the line when he allows Radio to attend practices and walk the sidelines with the team. Alfre Woodard is excellent as the high school football team's biggest booster who feels that Radio is nothing but a disturbance and is taking the limelight away from his own son's abilities and achievements on the field.

While the overall concept and symbolism of the story is poignant, this film offers nothing that we have not seen before. The underdog-who-helps-the-team-overcome-adversity-and-win-the-championshp has only been overdone since "Hoosiers" for the past twenty years, which makes the likes of a solid film such as "Radio" left as a predictable and fusty, yet heartwarming tale. Novice director Michael Tollin has a long way to go in the business, but does fine working with a fairly mediocre script from the heavily acclaimed screenwriter Mike Rich ("Finding Forester", "The Rookie"). Not the best of its kind, but certainly a film that the whole family can enjoy.

This movie is dumb because Radio gets picked on and i did not like that. I also didn`t like when his mom died. Thats all i have to say.

Radio has been one of the saddest movies I have ever saw. It made me cry so much that my eyes were bloodshot red. I think everyone should watch this movie children and adults.
In this movie there are many people starring in this movie but the main character was Cuba Gooding Jr. He was a mentally challenged high school student who really didn't have that many people to depend on besides his mother. He loved the game football and would stay by the feild everyday after school with his radio in his shopping cart to watch the football players play football. Everyone didn't treat him the way he was supposed to be treated but that all changed quickly.
He lost his mother and need some help because he didn't have any other family members near by. His coach heard about that and took him in without any regrets. Radio showed him that he should care for all people. The coach let him participate in the game he loved so much and that meant alot to him. After everyone took notice of how nice and generous he was they treated him alot different. They treated him as if he was like everyone else and he loved it.
The purpose of this movie was to show that no matter how the person is or who the person is they should be treated like a person not a thing. One thing I can say about this movie was that it showed that people can be nice and people can be mean but if you show them how u act they might treat you a lot different. Radio was a kid who didn't have that many friends but at the end of the movie he was popular everyone loved him.
I suggest that everyone that has someone in your school,neighborhood,job or maybe even church should watch this movie. Trust me it can teach you so much. It can also help you see that not everyones perfect. Really it's not finding a perfect person but being able to see an imperfect person perfectly.

Cuba's performance is an embarrassment, and the script is so laden with well-meaning platitudes that it grows nauseating after a while. I felt bad for Gooding; he really seemed desperate for another Oscar nomination, and to my eyes he seemed to be trying way too hard. Toward the end it gets so sugary sweet I felt my teeth begin to ache.

Unless you're easily manipulated by cheap sentiment, or are a sucker for "inspiring" true stories, then stay far away. I had to turn off this movie several times and walk away, just to control my gag reflex, it was so bad. I'm amazed people are giving it such good reviews...but then, there are people who will praise anything.